Former Syracuse offensive coordinator Brian Pariani once described the West Coast offense as ‘moving the ball down the field running and passing.’

Duh.

Only this season, the Orange is actually doing that.

After starting the season echoing last year with a 136-yard performance against Wake Forest, the Syracuse offense has turned in two consecutive respectable games against Big Ten opponents.

Here are the four ways the West Coast offense has improved heading into Saturday’s game vs. Miami (Ohio) at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome:

1. Communication upfront

It sounds so clich, but the players are more comfortable with each other’s roles this year on the offensive line.

Center Justin Outten said the offensive linemen barely talked to one another last season-unfathomable for any unit on a football team, let alone the O-line. And when the linemen did talk, Outten said it was often in the form of an argument.

For example, though it’s the center’s job to make the initial call on the blocking scheme, Outten said it’s up to his fellow linemen to point out adjustments.

‘Last year I don’t think we had that at all,’ Outten said. ‘This year over the summer we made sure we were on the same page and it’s working out to our favor.’

The West Coast offense burst open for 369 yards against Illinois. The line let quarterback Perry Patterson sit in the pocket and opened up holes, allowing SU to gain 202 on the ground.

Now after the 65-yard touchdown pass to Taj Smith, the next step is a big running play.

‘We’re not looking for the big punch out,’ Outten said. ‘We’re looking for the jabs and body shots. The big runs will come.’

2. Third down conversions

Wednesday is third-down day in practice for Syracuse.

Center Justin Outten said SU head coach Robinson made third downs more of a priority this season after the offense converted an abysmal 21 percent last year. A third down was an invitation for punter Brendan Carney to start warming his leg.

There is no change in philosophy in 2006, just execution.

First, the offensive line has allowed quarterback Perry Patterson time to throw. Second, the now-experienced receiving core is running the correct routes. And third, Patterson’s overthrows have significantly decreased.

‘Every team has the same plays,’ Outten said. ‘It’s just who executes them better and who focuses on the details.’

Then again, Patterson has an inkling new offensive coordinator Brian White possesses a better knack for calling plays.

‘He’s been in those situations,’ Patterson said. ‘Last year with coach Pariani, that was his first year and it was our first year as an offense as a whole. So there were a lot of things we weren’t going to be good at. But this year everything is a lot more comfortable. (Coach White) has a better idea of what to call, so when we get in third-and-6, we expect to get it.’

3. Holding onto the ball

This means two things-eliminating drops and not turning the ball over.

First, the receiving core did not drop a single pass against Illinois last Saturday-a marked difference from SU’s first two games.

And once the catch is made, who knows how many tackles can be broken.

‘The quick game is our fastball, so we’re going to keep throwing those quick balls,’ quarterback Perry Patterson said. ‘It’s just now (the receivers) are catching the ball and making something happen after the catch.’

And while Patterson threw a surprisingly ugly interception late in the fourth quarter ahead by 10 points, it was only his first pick of the season against four touchdowns.

With the running game established-not allowing SU to fall far behind-Patterson doesn’t have to face the same pressure and can throw both short and long.

‘I don’t think last year we had the opportunity to go for the big play because we had to establish the running game first,’ Outten said. ‘This year we have a running game and the short passes help the running game as well in play action. As far as big plays, they’re going to come. We’re going to take more shots down the field.’

4. Taj Smith

Yes, one player can make a difference.

Listen to quarterback Perry Patterson.

‘I’ve never had this feeling since I’ve been here,’ Patterson said. ‘When I just throw the ball to Taj on a five-yard route, he’s breaking it to a 12-yard route and right away we got a first down. It makes everyone’s job a lot easier as far as the play calling.’

It was evident from the Wake Forest game coaches wanted Smith on the field after they ran him twice on end-arounds.

Recognizing his talent, coaches moved Smith from the season’s No. 3 wide receiver to entering the game on many plays as the No. 1.

He caught the go-ahead 65-yard touchdown against Illinois, SU’s first bomb to a wide receiver in what seems like forever. But apparently even more valuable to Patterson has been his ability to break tackles on quick routes-something Rice Moss and Tim Lane can’t do with much consistency.

And already Smith has been used as a decoy on countless fake end-arounds since the opening game. But eventually, his number will be called upon again, resulting in the immediate potential for a game-breaking moment.

‘It’s good to know I got a playmaker out there,’ Patterson said.

Published on September 21, 2006 at 12:00 pm